16 Holiday Cookie Recipes That Will Make Your Mouth Water

Updated: March 17, 2015

Browse through these delectable treats made by moms like you and choose a few to bake for your family and friends this holiday season.

There's something about the holidays that makes you want to stay inside, turn on the heat, crank up that Christmas music, and bake sweet, scrumptious treats for the family. We've gathered a list of What to Expect bloggers' top cookie recipes to inspire you this snowy season.

Simply Sweet Greek Snowball Cookies

Inspired by her Greek heritage, this mama's made a treat similar to Kourambiedes, a traditional pastry made in Greece. You'll love the wintery look of these cookies — and your kids will love to gulp down the mini-snowball-shaped sweets.

Snickerdoodle Cookie

Chances are your little one loves the candy itself, so why not turn it into a cookie? Using cream of tartar and sugar in the mix, this blogger tops them off with cinnamon and sugar. The best part? You probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry!

Spicy Gingersnaps

Gingersnaps have been a long-time holiday staple, but this mama gives them a recipe revamp — she pops them in the microwave before serving for that extra gooey and chewy bite that is sure to please your family and guests.

Orange Spice Ornament Sugar Cookies

What starts out as a typical sugar cookie turns into a bedazzled masterpiece when you follow this mama's recipe. To get an extra-citrusy flavor, she adds some orange extract and pumpkin pie spice — delicious! Your little ones will love decorating these treats and hanging them up on the tree for all to see.

Monster Cookies Decorated with Holiday Candies

Add a fun and healthy twist to the typical chocolate-chip cookie recipe by adding oats and M&Ms. But these cookies are so good, your kids will hardly know the difference. So gather up the troops and head into the kitchen to make this monstrously mouthwatering-dessert.

Nana's Peppermint Bark Cookies

Between you and the kids, you probably have quite the collection of candy canes hanging around the house at this point in the holiday season. If not, any store will have them. These cookies, made with Dutched cocoa and topped off with white chocolate, are the perfect treat for your loved ones — and make great gift for teachers.

Christmas Swedish Pepparkakor Cookies

This Swedish family favorite is simple to make so the kids can take part in the whole cookie-making process. And they will love decorating the cute little gingerbread men (and women) at the very end.

Delicious Welsh Bake Stones

According to the mom who made them, these little cookies get their name because years ago bakers made them by using a hot bake stone made of rolled steel. But don't let that discourage you — these puppies are infused with yummy craisins and go great with a cup of tea!

Holiday Rice Krispies Bars with a Twist

Mix up this time-old favorite by adding a little holiday cheer. This mom-baker offers a variety of variations, like double chocolate and coconut cherry, to make each one of your little elves a happy camper!

Chocolate Kiss Peanut Butter Cookies

Give your friends, family, and co-workers the sweetest gift there is to give: a kiss — a Hershey's kiss, that is! Nothing says "yum" quite like the mixture of chocolate and peanut butter.

Iced Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies for the Snowy Season

Just like the weather outside, this cookie is icy – but the good kind that's sweet and scrumptious. This mommy blogger used actual cranberries in the mix to create that bright pop of festive red, which is perfect for the Christmas holiday.

Heavenly Sugar Cookies for the Holidays

This cookie pleases flavor fanatics of all kinds — and, believe it or not, it's made with Greek yogurt for a healthier treat overall. According to the mommy who made them, her little ones love baking these cookies so much that they always fight over the rolling pin!

Jammin' Coconut Cranberry Thumbprint Cookies

"Thumbs up" for these cutesy cookies! Your little one will love his point of participation — imprinting his finger (thumb to be exact) and filling the center with oozey goozey ginger jam. Yum!

Colorful Sugar Cookies

This mama puts a fun spin on the typical sugar cookie by adding some holiday flavors including nutmeg, cinnamon, and yummy vanilla extract. Your guests will love how the buttery treats melt in their mouth — and the kids will love decorating each cookie with fun, Christmas colors.

Pecan Tassies

This cookie is pecan-tastic and the perfect bring-along for any holiday get-together. Think mini pecan pie. How could you go wrong?

Chocolate Christmas Cookie

In this batch of cookies you get all the fudgey, rich, delicious goodness you could ask for … from a cookie at least! The dark cocoa powder used in this recipe hits the spots with mamas all over — and the kiddies love the bits and pieces of holiday-themed M&Ms!